Warriors' Kevin Durant expected to return vs. Pelicans, report says

That's what the Warriors are hoping as they target Saturday's home game against the Pelicans for Durant's return, ESPN.com reported, citing league sources.

Durant, who hasn't played since suffering a sprained MCL and bruised tibia in a game Feb. 28, has healed well and expects to play barring a setback in the final days of his recovery, the report said. If he returns Saturday, Durant will be available for the Warriors' final three games of the regular season.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr was optimistic Sunday about getting Durant back in the lineup by the end of the season, but said the team wouldn't push him too hard to return.

"Hopefully we can get him in for a couple of regular-season games," Kerr told reporters. "We'll see how it goes. We'll see what the training staff says. I'm not too worried about incorporating him because he's been with us all season and fit right in from the beginning. So whenever he gets back, we'll plug him back in there and watch his minutes."

Kerr did confirm there was no way Durant would play in the Warriors' first two games this week against the Timberwolves and the Suns.